Thrilling draw as Wanderers and UNSW FC share the points
In an epic National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW match of the round, the Western Sydney Wanderers and University of NSW FC shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday evening.
The Wanderers opened the scoring through Talia Kapetanellis with a special goal before Aya Yamahata equalised from the spot.
A goal either side of the break put the Wanderers 3-1 up as Miriam Zumaya and Anika Stajcic scored goals before first Demi Koulizakis halved the deficit and then substitute Marcella Santos scored a last second equaliser.
UNSW FC started brightly, Trudy Camilleri and Allira Toby combined for Camilleri to test the Jasmin Selva but the keeper saved.
The home side started to take control, first Maya Lobo bursting through from defence before firing a shot toward goal, forcing Steph Grimbilos into a parried saved, Kapetanellis arriving to strike the rebound which went inches wide of the target.
Chelsea Barton then crossed into the box from the right, the ball evading everyone and finding Kapetanellis at the back post, the winger caught by surprise and unable to direct the ball on target.
Just before the half hour mark, the Wanderers hit the front in style.
Kapetanellis delivered an in-swinging corner, beating the UNSW FC defence and Grimbilos, going in direct from the corner to score an Olympico.
Against the run of play, UNSW FC equalised after Koulizakis was brought down in the box following a corner and the referee pointed to the spot.
Yamahata stepped up to hit the penalty, burying her effort into the bottom left corner and despite Selva picking the right way, the young keeper had no chance.
Moments later and the visitors were almost in front, Koulizakis played through Toby but Selva was off her line quickly making the save before the rebound was put wide by Koulizakis.
The Wanderers recovered and then hit the front again five minutes from half time.
Maryam Mostaghimi gave away possession, Kapetanelis took full advantage, breaking into the box before teeing up Miriam Zumaya who took a touch and then calmly slotted the ball beyond Grimbilos.
The home team came close again just before the break, Stajcic this time clipping the ball into the box for Amy Barker who volleyed over the bar.
WSW then doubled their advantage at the start of the second period after a neat team goa.
Barton played the ball centrally for Amelia Cassar who drove forward, slipped in Stajcic with the inform striker slotting the ball passed the UNSW keeper.
The visitors had to do something and around the hour mark, Luke Richardson made a double sub, throwing in Marcella Santos and Skye Cassachia.
It’d be Santos’ header that led to Koulizakis’ goal only two minutes after the substitution, the latter cleaning up and tapping the ball home to halve the deficit.
UNSW was feeling it now and went level by the smallest of margins, Koulizakis again at the centre of an attack, blasting an effort millimetres from the top corner.
It then seemed as Santos had seen UNSW FC final chance come and go after Selva saved the attackers attempt from distance.
But there would be one more opportunity deep into stoppage time.
Angelique Hristodoulou’s free kick from just outside the area wasn’t dealt with by the Wanderers defence, Santos reacting quickest to score in a dramatic end to the game.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Kapetanellis 28’, Zumaya 39’, Stajcic 47’)
UNSW FC 3 (Yamahata 34’, Koulizakis 63’, Santos 90+7’)
Sunday, 13 April
Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Selva, 3. Ferris, 5. Barton, 11. Zumaya (7. McKenzie), 13. Kapetanellis, 14. Khoshaba, 16. Stajcic, 17. Cassar (21. Vanderlaan), 25. Lobo, 26. Arrarte, 33. Barker (29. Fazzari).
Substitutes Not Used: 25. Cleur, 15. Scamardella, 30. Croll.
Yellow Cards: Stajcic, Khoshaba, Fazzari.
Red Cards: Nil
UNSW FC: 1. Grimbilos, 4. Yamahata, 8. Koulizakis, 10. Smith, 12. Toby (9. Petkovski), 13. Singh (11. Santos), 15. Mostaghimi, 17. Hristodoulou, 18. Plessas (3. Monetenegro), 19. Camilleri (16. Casacchia), 56. Limon (6. Evetts).
Substitutes Not Used: 31. Howell.
Yellow Cards: Koulizakis.
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
